I don't have the RS1, but I have it's little brother, the RS2i and the 325is.

I don't see where Grado's suffer from genre specific performance more than any other can I've owned. The mantra that Grados are great rock cans seems to have made the lack of mention of their worthiness in rendering other genres imply that they aren't good in those areas. This has certainly not been my experience. I find the 325is to provide my best experience with some hip/hop, all R&B, as well as some soft rock. I really don't particularly like them for heavy metal. The RS2i's are nice all-rounders, hence why I have them as my only pair of cans at work.

My personal recommendation would be to listen to the description of the sonic characteristics of a pair of cans rather than listen to genre matching. Genre matching is a very personal and subjective thing. OTOH, if a more laid back presentation without forward mids is your preference instead of forward mids, then be careful getting any Grado. Same for bass. If you like gobbs of bass with your music, then go for a pair of Denons. Those sort of specific sonic preferences can be easily selected out between the various offerings. OTOH, genre matching phones is something that I've avoided with great satisfaction and relief.

As to bass, Grado's are certainly not at all lacking in that department, though at the same time, I don't consider them at all to be the final word in how great bass can potentially sound. The Grado's are characteristically quite forward in the mids to highs and can be a tad harsh to some, but I'd not use that as a deterrent to getting one. With all that's said, the whole audio experience is so often greater than the sum of its sonic parts and the Grado sound falls in this category. The overall sound as a package is truly outstanding and I'm not at all surprised at the Grado popularity on these boards. I'd recommend the RS1's to any prospective owner without hesitation. The only reason why I haven't gotten one is because I have the little brother, am not convinced that the RS1's will provide that much improvement over what the RS2i's have to offer, and I wish to try something different in the Ed8 and now the T1's.

I bought the RS1s mostly for rock. However I found them to be very versatile. Now I listen to them even for easier listening. With rock you better watch out . They are very powerful and can be fatiging even to the point of damaging your your hearing.I have to watch the volume. Other than that they are an excellent phone worthy of the price.

I don't have the RS1 but I do have a couple of other Grado's. One of their attributes that I really appreciate is the no nonsense, compact design and lightness of weight. I can reach for them and pop them on without any fanfare or fuss. I'm sure that the RS1's are no different in this regard.

I'm currently considering stepping up to one of four flagship headphones and the PS1000 is in the mix. Yet I can't help thinking that if I owned the RS1, I'd probably find myself reaching for that over any of those large, cumbersome and considerably heavier headphones.

I'd save, save your money and go for the best cans currently made by Grado RS1s. The PS1000s are better than the GS1000s, but at the price, you'd be better off with the HD800s, T1s, or LCD2s.

That's all a matter of taste, it seems. There are a few members on this forum who own or have at least heard the T1, HD800 and the PS1000, and prefer the PS1000 overall. And of course there are a few who prefer the HD800 or the T1 above the other two. (it's going to just be "a few" since not that many people are lucky enough to have heard all three. I don't mention the LCD2s just because I haven't seen too many comparisons including it.)

Though, seeing as how the PS1000 costs almost exactly $1,000 more than the RS-1i new, it might be a little more than just saving pennies...

I agree that it's a matter of taste. But look at the number of owners of the T1/HD800/LCD2 and then contrast it to the small number of PS1000 owners. Might be a reason for that you think?

Have you heard the RS1 or PS1000?

Looking back, I certainly could have gone about writing it better, mea culpa (things are a little nuts over here, I've been a bit distracted the past few days). My point wasn't that the OP should be purchasing the PS-1000 over the T1, HD800, or LCD2. More so that "buy the PS1000" or "buy the T1" or "buy the HD800" isn't really responding to the OP's question about the sound signature of the RS1 that his brother is purchasing at all. He's not even the one making the purchase.

And yes, I did a horrible job of saying what was on my mind without going off an tangents about the top tier headphones. Which may be part of the problem, there can be a tendency to get stuck on thinking about what we'd really like to own and in the process forget what questions we're meant to be answering. It's why people asking for headphone buying help on a $100 budget tend to get at least one person telling them to buy a $500 can.

Looking back, I certainly could have gone about writing it better, mea culpa (things are a little nuts over here, I've been a bit distracted the past few days). My point wasn't that the OP should be purchasing the PS-1000 over the T1, HD800, or LCD2. More so that "buy the PS1000" or "buy the T1" or "buy the HD800" isn't really responding to the OP's question about the sound signature of the RS1 that his brother is purchasing at all. He's not even the one making the purchase.

And yes, I did a horrible job of saying what was on my mind without going off an tangents about the top tier headphones. Which may be part of the problem, there can be a tendency to get stuck on thinking about what we'd really like to own and in the process forget what questions we're meant to be answering. It's why people asking for headphone buying help on a $100 budget tend to get at least one person telling them to buy a $500 can.

No worries dude. I am a real fan of the classic "Grado house sound" and for me, neither the PS1000, nor GS1000 exhibit it as well as the RS1/RS1is.

As well, for me, for $1000+ headphones, I insist on balanced/neutral presentations. Fun is great (I do own the RS1i/D7000s), but I do refuse to pay over $1K for coloured headphones (both the PS/GS1000s).

Yesteday in the evening one my good friend from Brno came to visit me and he presented me him Grado headphones (SR 325i and RS1) and Casea Lyra amp optimalized (setup) for Grado headphones. It si well known how I so like Grado headphones so I interested how it sounds in this chain, wery good with computers. In second aspect I know that Grado headphones are well known that they not need amps so I interested how much it differs.

After at about 10 tracks I was supressed how it sounds. I used Casea Lyra mk2 with DAC connected with my desktop PC with setup for Grado headphones. I found more transparency, clarity, dynamics and details in tracks. But the MOST IMPORTANT aspect is the soul in sound - which is amazingly wonderfully opened. Grado headphones are built with soul for music listening and if you apply good devices the spirit is more opened for you. It was the pleasure to listen this combination.

I think, when you are interested on very good amp (with DAC) optimalized for Grado headphones, Casea amp is very very good choise for you. The great advantage is performance to price ratio and this device is very serious quality. The producer can prepare special setup for customers for each producer, so yesteday’s tested setup for Grado headphones very surpised me. The producer is able prepare special setup for Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser or Denon headphones too. I think, this is very very good tip for you, if you want solid state SE amp.

is the RS-1 more comftorable then say the 325 or 225 models? Or are the pads basically the same? I know these cans are hardly bass monsters. Still, wouldnt they at least provide "present" and "crisp" bass for electronica type music?

is the RS-1 more comftorable then say the 325 or 225 models? Or are the pads basically the same? I know these cans are hardly bass monsters. Still, wouldnt they at least provide "present" and "crisp" bass for electronica type music?

The stock pads are the same as the 325 and 225 models, so not much difference there but there will be increase in comfort from RS1 in that it weights very little, significantly lighter than the 325 at least.

And you can turn them into near-bass monsters with pad rolling. Put some Flat pads on there and you'll be in for some serious bass. You'll lose highs and soundstage in the process however.